The Rapture(Jesus for his bride) and The Return(second coming)

Rapture Second Coming

Christ comes in the air(1 Thess 4:16-17) Christ comes to the earth(Zech 14:4)

Christ comes for his saints(1Thess 4:16-17) Christ come with his saints(Jude14)

Christ claims his bride Christ comes with his bride

Christ gathers His own(1Thess 4:16-17) Angels gather the elect(Matt24:31)

Christ comes to reward(1Thess 4:17) Christ comes to judge(Matt 25:31-46)

Not in Old Testament (1Cor 15:51) Predicted often in the Old Testament

There are no signs. It is imminent. Portended by many signs(Matt 24:4-29)

It is a time of blessing and comfort(1Thess 4:18) It is a time of judgment(2Thess 2:8-12)

Involves believers only( 1Thess 4:13-18) Involves Israel and Gentile nations(Matt 24:1-25)

Only His own will see Him(1Cor 15:51-52) World will see Him(Matt24:27)

Soon 7yr Tribulation begins Millennium begins

At the Rapture of the church, the Lord comes for His saints (1Thess4:16): at the Second Coming the Lord comes with His saints (1Thess3:13). At the Rapture of the church, the Lord comes only for believers, but His return to the earth will impact all people. The Rapture of the church is a translation/resurrection event: the Second Coming is not. At the Rapture of the church, the Lord takes believers from earth to heaven "to the Father's house" (John 14:3). At the Second Coming believers return from heaven to the earth (Matt 24:30). The Rapture of the church is an imminent, signless event that from the human perspective could occur at any moment: whereas, the Second Coming will be preceeded by all kinds of signs (Matt 24:1-29). The same event cannot logically be both signless and yet portened by numerous signs. This is contradictory. The best harmonization of there two different events supports a pretribulation rapture of the church. GOD BLESS!